M17x - Advice Needed!

Hey,

Basically, looking to get one of these to replace my XPS 15 L521x due to the faulty Wifi, bad heat management and the fact I want a gaming laptop, something to play GW2 on maxxed setting and ESO when it gets released!
This is my first ever gaming system that I hope to be getting, and it will be the first time I upgrade parts on a computer too, so basically this will be my first ever encounter with this sort of thing!

XPS had the specs in my sig. I have read around at the best way to get a good performance system, so obviously its going to be cheaper to buy my own RAM and SSD/HHD's and install them myself, so I have a few questions.

I am looking at getting the M17x with -

AMD Radeon HD 7970M
1080p Screen
Killer wireless

As the major upgraded parts. I would leave all other parts set to default.

1) Is the basic i7-3630QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz w/ turbo boost 2.0) be a good enough core for gaming? Or would it be better to upgrade to the one higher i7-3640QM?

2) If I were to buy it, can you upgrade the Win8 to Win8 Pro afterwards as I already own Win8 Pro after buying it on promo, it's the downloadable version rather than the DVD one, currently installed on this XPS but I would transfer it over.

3) As my current XPS has 16GB of RAM I would want to upgrade the new system to have the same (maybe more over time) but can anyone recommend which sticks to get, in terms of cheapness, reliability and efficiency?

4) Same as above but with an SSD? Looking at the Crucial M4 256GB SSD after reading other peoples ideas. Would creating an image of the OS, and then essentially repairing it onto the SSD work as a way of getting it onto the SSD from the default HHD work (I have a article of how to do it saved into my favs) and after that what would I do with the files left on the original HHD? Just delete them all?

Thanks for any answers/advice

Ps now just have to decide between nebula red and stealth black

 

The basic processor would be fine for what you want to do but if you can afford it I would step up to the 3720/3740 as it provides more headroom for future use.

I can't help you on the Windows 8 Upgrade

I have had good luck with both Corsair and Kingston memory sticks.

For the SSD I would suggest the Samsung PM840 or the Intel 520 (or newer if that is available)

 

I'm just going off memory of what other people have recommended.

1) Is the basic i7-3630QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz w/ turbo boost 2.0) be a good enough core for gaming? Or would it be better to upgrade to the one higher i7-3640QM?
Technically, the 3630qm handles everything fine (generally speaking) in the gaming world. I haven't played GW2 (heard it is a bit cpu intensive) so upgrading to the 3740qm could benefit, and you can slightly over-clock the turbo with the 3740qm. Some with that has played it could give you a better answer.

2) If I were to buy it, can you upgrade the Win8 to Win8 Pro afterwards as I already own Win8 Pro after buying it on promo, it's the downloadable version rather than the DVD one, currently installed on this XPS but I would transfer it over. I think. It couldn't hurt to try.

3) As my current XPS has 16GB of RAM I would want to upgrade the new system to have the same (maybe more over time) but can anyone recommend which sticks to get, in terms of cheapness, reliability and efficiency? Any reliable name will do. The popular around here seems to be Corsair.

4) Same as above but with an SSD? Looking at the Crucial M4 256GB SSD after reading other peoples ideas. Would creating an image of the OS, and then essentially repairing it onto the SSD work as a way of getting it onto the SSD from the default HHD work (I have a article of how to do it saved into my favs) and after that what would I do with the files left on the original HHD? Just delete them all?
I believe you could. If you used respawn, I thought I heard that it complained about the drives being differently sized. Although, most people recommend the fresh install of windows, especially with the hardware being changed with such degree.

 

I have heard of a lot of issues involving cloning HDD's to SSD's and such. I personally would recommend a clean install, but that is just the way I do things.

as to ram, I have been using 8gb (2x4gb) corsair 1600mhz sticks and haven't had a single issue. Just installed it and it's been working like a champ!

As to SSD's, as brother slim said both the samsung 840 pro and the intel 520 are very solid choices. I personally have a crucial m4 and it's been a great little drive so far too. All comes down to how much you wanna spend.

 

Thanks for the great replies guys

I will take the upgraded i7 then if I can,

I also found a youtube vid of how to clean install Win8 from only using a download version so that will be better than using an image

RAM wise I found, due to being a complete noob at this I wasn't sure if these are the right ones? Corsair CMXS16GX3M2A1600C10 16GB Vengeance Performance So-Dimm 1600MHz CL10 DDR3 Memory Kit: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
In terms of SSD's they are the 2.5" ones aren't they? Also which would be the cheapest & biggest SSD?

Thanks again guys

 

The RAM you linked will work and the SSD's are indeed 2.5in.

 

Just one thing to add, with an AMD GPU you might be better with a slightly faster CPU. Simply because in physics intensive games the CPU does the work, on an NV card it's all on the same chipset Never had one (AMD) so it's just a guess...

 

Got off the phone with Dell earlier, managed to get the below in exchange for my XPS15 -

1 Alienware M17x : Standard Base
1 Processor : 3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3630QM (6MB Cache, up to 3.4GHz w/ Turbo Boost 2.0)
1 Display : 17.3" WideFHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD
1 Camera : Integrated Skype HD Certified FullHD Camera with dual digital microphones
1 LCD Back Cover : Soft Touch - Nebula Red
1 Memory : 6144MB (1x2048 + 1x4096) 1600MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
1 Hard Drive : 500GB 7,200rpm SATA 3Gb/s HDD
1 Optical Drive : BluRay Combo (Blu-ray read only, DVD, CD read & write)
1 Power Cord : UK 250V
1 Power Supply : Alienware 240W AC Adapter
1 Battery : Primary 9-cell 93W/HR LI-ION
1 Graphics : 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 7970M
1 Sound Card : Creative Sound Blaster Recon3Di with THX TruStudio Pro Software
1 Wireless : Killer Wireless-N 1103
1 Keyboard : Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard

Did ask about having the i7-3740 but I would have lost the Blu-ray drive and had to pay another £50, but I thought for only a small increase in performance the money would be better put into a new SSD and RAM upgrades

 

congrats dude!!!